Epicurus: Copenhagen’s Destination for Serious Jazz and Fine Dining

In the third century BC the Greek philosopher Epicurus proposed an idea that still resonates today. Happiness, he argued, does not arise from excess but from thoughtful pleasure, meaningful conversation, and the company of friends. It is a philosophy that life’s most rewarding experiences come from cultivated enjoyment rather than indulgence alone. More than two thousand years later, that concept finds a remarkably fitting modern interpretation inside Epicurus in Copenhagen, an international destination for lovers of real jazz music and fine dining.

On my recent trip to Copenhagen, I found out for myself that Epicurus is not simply a restaurant that hosts music or a jazz club that happens to serve dinner. The establishment transcends that distinction. It is a destination worthy in and of itself of the trip to the Danish capital for an evening of serious jazz and exceptional fine dining. Epicurus is not just a place you discover while travelling Denmark. It is the reason for the trip.

The Visionaries and the Vault

Epicurus is the culmination of a collaborative vision brought to life by a remarkable hospitality collective. Lars Seier Christensen, the esteemed co owner of Geranium and Alchemist, provides the foundational vision and capital, ensuring an uncompromising standard. Culinary operations are guided by Mads Bøttger of Dragsholm Slot, bringing a refined Nordic sensibility to the menu.

The very soul of the venue’s musical direction is shaped by the knighted pianist Niels Lan Doky, a world renowned jazz virtuoso whose career has placed him among the most respected figures in European jazz. Born in Copenhagen and raised in a musical family, Doky built an international reputation through decades of performance alongside many of the genre’s leading artists, including collaborations with legends such as Miles Davis and Michel Petrucciani.

Beyond his own recordings and performances, Doky has long championed the preservation and advancement of acoustic jazz. At Epicurus he applies that same philosophy, curating a programme that prioritises musicianship, spontaneity, and the dynamic exchange between performers. The result is a stage where artists are selected not for novelty or spectacle, but for their ability to carry forward the discipline and imagination that have defined the jazz tradition for generations. Together this collective has created what many now consider Copenhagen’s premier gastro jazz venue.

The Jazz Sanctuary: Design, Art, and the Spirit of Miles Davis

Epicurus occupies a seventeenth century brick building that once served as a military gymnasium for the Danish Royal Guard. The redesign preserves elements of that history through original wooden panels in the upstairs dining rooms, while the space below transitions into a subterranean environment defined by smoked oak and natural oils.  The jazz club unfolds as a grand, acoustically optimised room where smoked oak panelling enriches the sound while creating an atmosphere of intimacy. Guests settle into ergonomically designed chairs surrounded by intricate wood marquetry depicting dancers and musicians inspired by ancient Greek imagery, a subtle nod to the philosophy that gave the venue its name.

At the centre of the jazz space hangs an original 1981 painting by Miles Davis. The work remains on permanent display and functions as both artwork and statement. It is a quiet acknowledgement of one of the defining figures in jazz history.   It hangs there like a silent conductor, a reminder that this stage is reserved only for the masters.

Musical Main Course

After dinner, guests descend into the heart of Epicurus where the music takes precedence. In an era often dominated by electronic production, the venue presents live jazz in its most direct form, performed by real and talented musicians whose craft depends entirely on the instruments in their hands.

On the evening I attended the programme featured “Tribute to Oscar Peterson – The Art of the Trio.” Oscar Peterson remains one of the most technically brilliant and emotionally expressive pianists in jazz history, his virtuosity and innovative approach to the piano trio format securing his place among the genre’s great masters.

Pianist Gary Husband delivered the music with restless intensity, his hands moving rapidly across the keys like a man possessed while bassist Felix Pastorius and drummer David Fingers Haynes formed a rhythm section that communicated through subtle visual cues. Leadership shifted constantly between the three players, creating a dynamic musical conversation.

Their set moved through extended improvisations that stretched well beyond the expected format, including a striking interpretation of Take Five by Dave Brubeck. The audience, a mix of dedicated jazz listeners and curious newcomers, absorbed the performance in attentive silence, the kind of concentrated listening that live jazz at its best still demands.

When the music begins at Epicurus the room settles into that focused quiet. The stage is reserved for musicians of genuine stature, artists who approach the tradition with the discipline and imagination that shaped the genre in the first place. The programming curated by Niels Lan Doky consistently brings performers capable of delivering music that rewards careful listening rather than casual distraction.

In an era when younger audiences are often drawn toward the programmed beats of K pop or the synthetic loops of trip hop, Epicurus provides a deliberate counterpoint. There are no digital sound kits or computer generated tracks here. The music travels directly from voice or the instrument to the ear, body and the soul of audience.

The Culinary Prelude

Before the music begins, the evening opens upstairs with a dining experience that mirrors the precision of the jazz to come with a menu that combines French technique with Nordic ingredients. For those travelling specifically for the experience, the ten course tasting menu proves the natural choice. Titled “Are You Epicurious?”, the menu unfolds at a measured pace and highlights seasonal ingredients through careful technique and composition.

The opening courses establish the tone immediately. Le Gris Special oysters arrive with pickled rose mignonette and vanilla oil, balancing marine salinity with delicate sweetness. Raw scallop follows, paired with pickled horseradish and crisp daikon. Gougères filled with Comté and truffle provide a warm and savoury contrast.  The Gambero Rosso prawn carpaccio introduces a more unusual pairing, combining the prawn’s sweetness with rhubarb and rooibos tea. Lemon sole closes this portion of the meal, served with kale, trout roe and champagne beurre blanc, a dish that demonstrates the kitchen’s command of both classical technique and contemporary restraint.

Epicurious is Thee Destination

Each element of Epicurus stands confidently on its own. The restaurant could operate independently as a destination for serious dining, delivering a meal that would satisfy even in a city where Michelin stars are almost commonplace. The cocktail programme could command attention as a bar in its own right, the sort of place people seek out for a perfectly composed drink and an evening’s conversation. The jazz room could stand alone as well, hosting musicians of genuine stature on a stage designed specifically for listening.

When these worlds meet under one roof something more compelling emerges. Dinner sharpens the senses. The cocktails deepen the mood. The music brings the evening fully alive. The result is not simply a restaurant with a club beneath it but a complete cultural experience that transforms a night out into something memorable.

Denmark is no stranger to Michelin stars or exceptional culinary talent, yet Epicurus occupies a category of its own. Many places are worth visiting if you happen to be in town. This is a place worth travelling for. It simply happens to be in Copenhagen, which is, by the way, worthy of having a look around after the last note of the evening is done.